The term Jefa refers to a “female boss or leader; a woman in charge.” If you haven’t checked out part one of the series, you are missing out. Such a good read on triumph, adversity, and beating all odds. Jefas are made of tough stock. They are resilient, empowered, and find ways to thrive in the midst of a storm or in this case a pandemic. In the midst of the Coronavirus, I wanted to take some time and feature dynamic Latina’s running successful small business and chat about how the pandemic has impacted their ability to provide for their family, generate more business and create.
But first, why focus on small businesses? According to Vox Media “ Small businesses were responsible for 60 percent of net new jobs created from 2009 to 2013, after the recession. That means a big chunk of employment, taxes, and local services are directly tied to small business. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, Congress along with the President approved the latest coronavirus stimulus package to specifically help small businesses stay afloat. But figuring out exactly how to access it can be somewhat confusing”. Vox Media has a great guide to assist with figuring out what you qualify for and how to navigate this complicated system.
According to census data, the number of women-owned businesses is on the rise — growing by 26.8 percent from 2007 to 2012, to 9.9 million firms owned by women as of 2012. That is a big deal. This pandemic will have an incredible impact on women, their families, and the economy all across the globe. How Jefas face the hard days ahead matter.
Proverbs 31 states that women of noble character should be honored “for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” This means women of strong noble character, Jefas, should be honored and praised by those that love & admire the most. I would like to introduce you to Mariana, a Jefa I admire.
Meet Mariana
An award-winning international photographer. Together with her husband, this Jefa owns KISMIS INK an international award-winning photography studio based in Tampa Florida. Mariana's beautiful work has been featured in Bridal Guide Magazine, Inside Weddings Magazine, The Knot, and The Huffington Post to name a few. To see more of her award-winning work check out her portfolio.
“As a creative and business owner, I’ve been challenged to think differently and remember why I started.”
At first meeting Mariana, you will be swept away by her energetic spirit and her magnetic green eyes. She is a Cubana, who embraces all cultures while proudly sharing her story of immigration, triumph, and love. This is evident in who she calls “her people”. She warns all her potential clients with the same message “ I will hug you when we meet. We’ll talk about your adventures in travel, food, and love- and what makes your relationship one-of-a-kind.” She loves to love people and to me, that’s what makes her stand out most of all.
I had the chance for a virtual sit down with Mariana and asked her a few questions about her business, + how her work fills her creative calling.
Describe what the word Jefa means to you. When I think of the word jefa, I picture a lighthouse. A guiding light, ready to serve and standing tall while being a safe haven to others.
Do you consider yourself a Jefa? Yes! In both business and my personal relationships, I strive to guide, serve, and stand tall, inviting others to join me.
“As a daughter of Cuban immigrants, I've had the privilege of growing up in our society from a different perspective.”
-Mariana
What does it mean to you to be Hispana in your industry? As a daughter of Cuban immigrants, I've had the privilege of growing up in our society from a different perspective. Learning English as a second language gave me compassion for others that struggle with different languages and challenged me to find ways to bring both worlds together to better our community. In the creative industry, as a photographer/business owner, I am always looking for opportunities to share the beauty and power in embracing diversity and our cultural influences.
How has that shaped your work? This passion has shaped my creative work and business over the last ten years. I've had the honor of documenting multicultural love stories around the world in a way that is unique to my background and life experiences while using my platforms to inspire others beyond their comfort zones.
How has the Pandemic impacted your work? COVID-19 has impacted small businesses in ways we could never have imagined. In a matter of days, I’ve found myself revising our second quarter plans, navigating cancellations across our calendars, having conversations with clients and prioritizing health and mental wellness over profit and business growth.
Not knowing how all of this will impact our third quarter and beyond brings a sense of fear, but it also challenges me as an entrepreneur and begs for me to rise up and lift up others in my industry.
As a creative and business owner, I’ve been challenged to think differently and remember why I started. I am embracing this unique season to work ON my business instead of IN, love on my clients, even more, collaborate with fellow industry friends, as there is so much work to be done in the waiting and so much growth as a small business through these obstacles. It’s a time to be generous, show up in different ways and serve others with our talents, we are all in this together.
After reading Marianna’s thoughts on the screen it reminded me of this quote by Arundhati Roy:
“Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks, and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it." I’m glad I know women like Mariana, rethinking their business, imagining a new world and fighting for it every day.
If you know a phenomenal Latina who runs her own small business please email me I'd love to interview her for a potential feature.